So you just walked into a thrift store or antique store and there’s interesting items everywhere, but how exactly do you decide what’s worth purchasing? What makes it home and what stays behind? There are a few ways to approach shopping (in any capacity) and there are no hard rules. I do, however, think there are some good guidelines that can help us from making regrettable purchases while out on the hunt. (And maybe even discover a few diamonds along the way.)

Let’s first chat about some simple shopping rules I think you should always keep in mind. (You can read more about this topic on my Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying More Home Decor blog post.)

Don’t buy just to buy. Keep budget + true needs in mind rather than just grabbing anything and everything.
Review Quality. Does it have a brand name? Look it up to see if it happens to be a quality maker.
Is it ripped? Stained? Could be cleaned/mended?
For wood furniture, look for real wood, high quality joints (such as dovetail), look for screws instead of just glue and staples, etc..
Embrace the unexpected rare find. Look, sometimes you haven’t planned for a purchase, but if it feels special, you love and there’s a place in your home where it can be used, GO FOR IT. Thrift and antique finds add such character to a home so it’s worth adding those pieces you love.

OK, now that we have a couple ground rules, lets dive into discussing those things I think are so worth grabbing on your next outing.

1. Hardback books.

Styling sessions always need more hardback books. Always. They help you add height, can add color, and are perfect for layering on bookshelves and table tops. I always keep an eye out for well priced books in neutrals that can work anywhere as well as specific colors that could coordinate with a specific design.

Also, I’m pretty mad I didn’t grab that cutie little carved box featured on this book stack. That’s another great item to pick up as they are also perfect for styling on bookshelves.

2. Brass Accents

Yes to all the brass accents, y’all! OK, maybe not all, but lots. I use these types of items regularly in my styling and there are so many creative little items that will add so much personality to your home.

From little containers that hold your earrings to brass figurines to trays to store your keys to candle sticks, these items can be useful as well as decorative. That’s why I will always scroll through the decorative brass items to see what gems I can find.

3. Quality Wood Furniture

I love using dressers in other areas of a home and vintage wood pieces give so much life and interest to a space. Pieces like the one above with its marble top would be so lovely as a dining room sideboard.

Before picking it up for yourself be sure to make sure all the drawers open smoothly, there aren’t too many dings, and that the price point works for your budget. (And don’t forget to negotiate.)

I also love to look for mid-century modern pieces as those items can be used in a variety of homes and always look classic.

4. Unique Lamp Pairs

Lamps are always needed in a room and finding unique versions, especially a matching pair, is such a win in my book. Even the more run down ones can be easily updated with paint and a fresh shade so focus on the size and shape of the lamps over the finish.

I don’t have a current need for these two lamps above, but I am so into them and would have loved to take them home.

5. Vintage Rugs

Always, always take a peek at the vintage rugs. If you’re seriously looking for something, keep a note of the size and colors you’re needing so you don’t get distracted from the mission, but even if you don’t have a specific need, vintage rugs can be a really great find.

The small scale rugs can be great in an entry or even a bathroom or you can frame or hang them like a tapestry. It’s a beautiful way to add history, warmth and texture to your rooms.

As with everything else, be sure to check out the quality before committing. You should expect wear, but you don’t want the rug to be falling apart already. If it’s handmade (yay!) the knots on the back of the rug will not be uniform - that’s a good sign for the piece being that it’s a more original, unique find rather than something massed produced.

So what should you pass on?

1. Unless you have a specific skill that you know will allow you repair or refinish something, I would pass. You don’t want to be stuck with a project that won’t actually be completed. For example, the chairs above could be really cute, but one seat is ripped and I know I’m not going to take on reupholstering the chair nor do I want to spend the money to let someone else do it. For someone else, it might be the perfect project, but it’s not for me.

2. Skip things you don’t have a plan for or space for. Knowing that you can put the item to use is important so I’ll keep saying it. Even if it’s a great find, it’s pointless to own if it will just sit in your garage for the next 5 years.

3. Don’t buy just because it’s cheap. Even the best of us can be excited by a low price point - especially if they just offered you an even lower price! But the reality is, even a little money spent careless can impact your finances. Don’t get caught up in the “deal” and forget to ensure it’s a purchase that will add value to your home or life.

Alright, friends. That’s my thoughts on what to grab and what to skip. I’ll have a future blog post sharing my plan for the table and chairs I picked up recently so you can see my thought process on why it felt like a great find (for me).

Note: All these photos were taken by me while at a local Antique store in Nashville, TN. I don’t own the items pictured.

Thrifting + Antique Shopping: What to Grab (+ What to Skip)